Thank you for reviewing! Lol at the Lori comments. I'm so glad everyone liked the first chapter! I'll try and update as often as I can! Xoxo

-yagirlL :)

Chapter 2

On My Mind

The first day of school was a success. On the way home, Carl raved about how much power and freedom he has finally being a Junior. "Juniors and Seniors rule the school, Dad. I mean, I knew that, but it's cool being able to participate now."

Carl went on and on, and Rick can only smile. He's impressed by how mature and grown up his son is; he is so smart, too. Rick glanced at his son in the passenger seat and said: "I want you to enjoy it, Son. The last two years of high school go by so quickly. Seize every opportunity, don't blink, and embrace your youth while you still can."

Carl nodded that he understood what his father was saying. "I will, Dad."

He looks back at his suspiciously quiet sister in the backseat. "Did you have a good first day, Judy?"

Judith is half asleep when she answers: "Yes, but Miss Greene said that she would see us all tomorrow; I thought kindergarten was one day?"

Rick and Carl chuckle. "No, you will go to school every day until late spring."

"What... do I have to wake up early like today?" she asked, rubbing at her eyes.

"I'm afraid so, but you can sleep on the weekends, and we get breaks for Holidays."

"I don't wanna go to kindergarten anymore," Judith pouts.

"Please, you've completed one day," Carl chuckles. "You've got twelve more years to go, and then another four years after that; it could be more depending on what you wanna be when you grow up."

Rick pulled into his driveway and sighed.

"What is it, Dad?"

"I forgot to prep dinner." He reaches for his wallet and hands Carl a twenty. "Order a pizza at six o'clock; you both can have a light snack, but don't overdo it. I should be back by seven."

"Okay," Carl said, putting the money in his pocket. He got out of the car and helped Judith get out. Judith takes off for the front door.

"Hey, Carl!" Rick motions his hand for Carl to come back.

Carl leaned down and looked through the window. "Yeah?"

"Thank you for watching your sister this evening; I know you wanted to hang out with your girlfriend. I should have a new sitter for her soon."

"It's alright," Carl shrugged. "Judith misses Beth already."

"She's not the only one. Beth is the best babysitter in Atlanta. I can't believe she's on her way to Julliard. I'm so proud of her. "Okay, I'll be at the office; call me if you need to."

"We should be fine. Bye, Dad."

Michonne is leaving work for the day when her phone started ringing; she looked at the screen and sees it is her best friend, Andrea calling her.

"Hey, Drea."

"Hey, Girl! How was your first day of work?"

Michonne exhaled deeply, "It was different, but it was okay. The kids are a blast."

"That's great, Chonne; when can I come to visit?"

Michonne giggles, "Andrea, we've only been away from each other for a week; I'm still settling in. If you're trying to come here to convince me to move back, it's not going to work; I'm happy with this move. I like Atlanta, and I'm not moving back to Canton."

Andrea scoffed, "Are you finished? I was only going to say that I miss you, Bitch. Did you find a new blonde best friend better than me already? Don't even bother answering that because I know you haven't. No one will ever be a better friend to you than me, Michonne Peterson!"

Michonne laughed at Andrea's silliness. "Trust me I'd never replace you, Blondie."

"Good to know. So, have you seen any hot guys yet?"

Michonne instantly thought about Rick Grimes. He has piercing blue eyes; she felt like she was looking at the ocean when he stared into hers for what felt like an eternity. His salt and pepper beard matched with his dark chestnut head of curls; his pink lips poking out looked irresistibly inviting.

"Michonne, are you there?"

Michonne snapped back into reality. "Yes, I'm here. I'm not looking for hot guys; I'm here for a-"

"I know, a fresh start," Andrea said, cutting her off.

The two of them chat a few more minutes before saying their goodbyes. Michonne put her phone in her purse and continued walking to her blue BMW when she heard someone calling her name. "Miss Peterson!"

She turned around and saw Maggie Green from kindergarten hall B jogging towards her. "Glad I caught you," Maggie said, putting her hand on her chest. "You walk so fast."

"Feel free to call Michonne; being called Miss Peterson by another adult make me feel old," Michonne giggled.

Maggie smiled, "Sorry, noted! Well, I'm coming to let you know that some of us teachers go out for drinks at the end of the week; we've made it our tradition. You being a new teacher and new in town, I thought I'd invite you to join."

"Wow, I'd love to join! I don't know anyone around here, and it would be nice to get to know all of you. "Thank you for including me; it's sweet of you."

Maggie patted Michonne's back, "No problem! I was new a couple of years ago, so I know the feeling. We're meeting at Northern Tavern at eight; they play the best music and even has a dance floor. The first round is on me."

"Great, I'll be there."

Back at work, Rick is sitting in a meeting daydreaming about Michonne. He thought about her from the moment he left her classroom. The feeling she gave him. Her smile, and her hair flowing down her back leading to her round-

"Rick... Rick!" Tara snapped three times in his face.

"I'm sorry, what?" The people around the table are staring at him.

Bob cleared his throat. "I'm giving some tips on how we can expand the company." He continued with his graphs, and Rick feels himself drifting again.

After the meeting, everyone is standing around chatting.

"Was I boring you, Mr. Grimes?"

"Not at all, Bob; you were great. I have a lot on my mind is all."

"I'm just pulling your leg," Bob laughed. "We all have those days."

"I've been meaning to ask you how Noah is doing? I haven't seen him; he and Carl are inseparable during the summer."

"Yeah, they are. Noah and Lizzie begged us to let them go to this expensive ass camp; they were there all summer. They got back a day before yesterday. Sasha was scrambling around trying to get all their school supplies without them helping her."

"I bet she was fuming." Rick knows Sasha is a firecracker.

"Oh, you know she was," Bob said. They laugh before parting ways.

Daryl then approaches Rick. "Hey, man... listen I need a favor."

"Nope."

"Naw, it's not like last time! I need you to go on a double date on Friday night."

Rick shook his head no.

"Look, Denise agreed to go out with me, but then she said that she couldn't because her friend Jessie wanted to hang out with her; I suggested that she bring Jessie along, and I promised her I'd bring a friend."

"You could ask Jim."

"Naw, can't be Jim; I said my friend would have blue eyes."

"Wait, you promised this date before checking with me first?"

"Come on, Rick. I like her."

Rick eyed his desperate friend. "Fine, but you're paying for everything."

"Deal. Rick, you're a lifesaver."

The next morning, Rick made sure everyone was up and ready to go by seven thirty. That way he'd have enough time to take Carl to school and walk Judith to her class. But walking Judith to class wasn't the only thing on his mind. He wouldn't describe himself as religious, but he said a prayer in hopes of seeing Michonne again.

"Daddy, there's Sophia! Can I go in with her and Mrs. Carol?"

"You don't want me to take you in?"

"I want to go in with Sophia," she said sure of herself.

Rick didn't answer her. He needed to walk her in; it was his only excuse to see Michonne. He watched as Sophia and her mother went into the school. "Maybe tomorrow you can, Judy."

"Okay," she said with a frown.

"He and Judith hop out of his black Audi, and they made their way into the school. Rick's eyes immediately went to the first door on the left. "Shit," he said under his breath. The light's are off, so he assumed she is running late. He walked Judith to class, kissed her goodbye, and began his walk of shame back to his car. He decided to take a long way back around. He is back in Michonne's hall again, and his heart stopped when he sees that her lights are on now. He took a deep breath before peeping into the room. Michonne is wearing another astounding sundress. Today it is yellow, and yellow is suddenly his favorite color. Her beautiful locks are up in a bun, allowing her gorgeous face to be on full display. She is setting up what seemed to be a music game for the children.

"Need help with any more boxes?"

That familiar southern drawl shook her to her core; she almost leaped out of her skin.

"Oh, I'm sorry; I didn't mean to scare you." Rick put his hands up for emphasis.

"It's quite alright, Mr. Grimes."

"Please, call me Rick."

Michonne giggled, "Okay, it's quite alright, Rick."

That smile, it's so much better in person, Rick thought.

"So, are you dropping Judith off?" Michonne cringed at her question. Why else would he be here? She thought.

"Yes, I just walked her to class; she insisted I walk her. It was hard to say no that face," Rick lied. He can't tell her he is there to stalk her.

"Oh, yes," Michonne said. "She is such a cutie. I can imagine her getting way often," Michonne giggled.

"She sure does," Rick said with a chuckle. "Did she do alright in your class yesterday?"

"She was a doll, but some of the other kids not so much." They both laugh, gazing at one another.

Her laugh is beautiful. Rick licks his lips as he looks at hers; they're plump, and he knew they would be soft. Focus, Rick, he scolded himself. He's trying to pull it together, but Michonne knocks over some instruments with her elbow. She bent down to pick them up, and his eyes landed on her ass; he's never seen an ass like that before.

"I am the biggest klutz you'll ever meet," she said, standing back up. She closed her eyes and sighed. She couldn't believe she just told him that embarrassing information.

"I hope you're not as big a klutz I am, Rick laughed. His phone rings; it's Tara. "Excuse me," he said.

Michonne nodded as he turned his back to her to take the phone call.

Michonne takes the opportunity to check Rick out. She loves his bowlegs. He is muscular, but not too muscular. He is just right; he's perfect. His gray suit is configuring to his body, and his curls end right at the tip of his collar. She darted her eyes away when she heard him ending the call.

He smiled at her. "I have to go, but it's lovely seeing you again."

"You too, Mr.- I mean, Rick."

He flashed her one last smile before leaving.

Once he was gone, Michonne let out a breath she didn't even realize she was holding. She whispered to herself out loud: "I'm here to work; I'm not here to meet hot guys."

Rick is pissed at Tara's timing as he walked back to his car. He was just about to ask Michonne if she was single; he was flirting with her before he knew if she was. Nice going, Grimes. He got into his car and pressed the start engine button. He wanted to go back in there, but he remembered he had a double date that weekend. Maybe I should wait until Monday, he thought. I'll be clear of that Jane, Junie, whatever the hell her name is, and I'll plan it out. He heard the final bell ring as he pulled off.